A third person over the age of 50 has died at Burning Man 2026.
The week-long festival – which is located in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert and focuses on community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance – ended its 2026 edition over the weekend (September 7).
On Monday, it was reported that two people had died at the site during the event. The first was reported on September 3, after a man in his mid-50s was found on the floor at the festival and given CPR for several minutes, before being pronounced dead by a doctor.
The following day, it was confirmed by the Washoe County regional medical examiner’s office that a 51-year-old man had been rushed out of the site in an ambulance to receive medical care, and later passed away (as per The Guardian).
A spokesperson for Burning Man shared: “We are saddened to have learned that a Burning Man participant who experienced a serious medical emergency in Black Rock City during the early hours of Friday September 4 and immediately received on-site lifesaving measures later passed away after being transported to Reno for medical care.”
Speaking to the Reno Gazette-Journal, Pershing county sheriff, Jerry Allen shared: “Although we average one death a year at the festival, we have had two so far this year within the confines of the festival and I have received information regarding a third who died in transit to a hospital in Reno.”
Third person dies at Burning Man.
What we know: https://t.co/HrKWTz6rP5 pic.twitter.com/GOtRt87zhx
— TMZ (@TMZ) September 8, 2026
Now, it has been revealed that a third man over the age of 50 has died at Burning Man 2026 – having been found deceased in his trailer.
Details about the death of the 60-year-old man remain unknown, although the Pershing county sheriff’s office has shared that it will share more information about the incident after autopsies and toxicology reports have been carried out.
Local authorities have said that they do not suspect any signs of foul play with the three deaths.
An annual report from Black Rock City Census has revealed that there are fewer people attending Burning Man who are in their 20s, but more attendees who are over the age of 40. According to the data, the number of visitors in their 20s dropped from 30 per cent in 2014 down to 10 per cent in 2025.
This year’s festival has been a difficult one for organisers, with heavy rain and dust storms causing disruptions throughout.
Another attendee was seriously injured earlier in the week after falling from the 55-foot Nest Tower at the Square One camp. Authorities have also reported 34 arrests for alleged drug sales or trafficking as of Friday morning, along with an arrest related to domestic violence.
At last year’s festival, headlines were made following the killing of 37-year-old Vadim Kruglov, who was fatally stabbed at the site. No arrest has been announced in that case.
Burning Man organisers have made around-the-clock peer and crisis-support resources available to attendees affected by the deaths.
